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science4h ago
'Interstellar messenger' 3I/ATLAS could be nearly as old as the universe itself, James Webb telescope reveals
- Latest finding places interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS at about 10–12 billion years old, suggesting an ancient origin in the Milky Way.
- Researchers propose 3I/ATLAS formed about 10–12 billion years ago in a cold, distant Milky Way region.
- Isotopic composition differs from solar system comets, supporting an origin outside our solar neighborhood.
- 3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object to travel through our solar system.
- James Webb Space Telescope observations provided key isotopic data analyzed in the study.
- The preprint conclusions remain under peer review, so findings are preliminary.
- 3I/ATLAS passed Earth and will continue its journey outward from the solar system.
- Experts say 3I/ATLAS formed in a different stellar environment than the solar system.
- Researchers track 3I/ATLAS’ trajectory and expect closest approaches to planets during its passage.
- The study’s authors emphasize that the comet carries clues to conditions in early star-forming regions.
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